Dropped Center Tank Treads

[crazyStone]

I am wondering if anyone has any experince with putting a lower wheel in the center of tank treads? (similar to a 6wd design) and what would be the adviseable drop distance, so that the robot can turn but doesn't buck up and down uncontrolably?

[ratdude747]

I am wondering if anyone has any experince with putting a lower wheel in the center of tank treads? (similar to a 6wd design) and what would be the adviseable drop distance, so that the robot can turn but doesn't buck up and down uncontrolably?

I have worked on a bot from 2010 that used a drop center tread design...

it had 1/8" drop on the center roller. it bucked a little bit but did ok... for a tall bot, i would go with 3/32" or even 1/16" to be safe... the bot i worked on was a pretty short bot (fit through the tunnel)

[Grim Tuesday]

To say our team does lots of treads is an understatement. 2011, 2010, 2006, 2006, 2005, 2004. We've gotten the design down to an art. If you want to take a look at one of our CAD's, it is availible at FRC-Designs (http://www.frc-designs.com/html/CAD_2011.html). Team 639. If you have any other questions about treads, I would be happy to answer!